T-minus 9 minutes and counting! The Ground Launch Sequencer is now actively running this final phase of tonight's countdown to launch space shuttle Discovery.
T-minus 7 minutes, 30 seconds. The Ground Launch Sequencer has started pulling the orbiter access arm away from the crew hatch on the port side of the vehicle. The arm was the passage way for the astronauts to board Discovery a few hours ago. The arm can be re-extended very quickly should the need arise later in the countdown.
Liftoff.